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God is in the business of reconciliation, bringing things together that might naturally tend toward division.

We need to remember this. Particularly in the United States of America in 2016 we need to remember this.

God’s reconciliation is highlighted throughout Paul’s letter to the Church in Ephesus. In the first chapter, we read about God’s uniting of heaven and earth. In chapters two and three we read about God’s uniting of the Gentiles and the Jews. In chapter four we read about the unity of the Church in Ephesus. In chapter five, Paul writes about God’s desire to unite husband and wife.

In Ephesians 5:1 Paul urges the church to “be imitators of God” and to “live lives of love.” Why? Not for our glory (though there are obvious personal benefits to choosing to live lives of love), but for God’s!

Over and over, throughout the Book of Ephesians, we are reminded that when we pursue God in all of our relationships, God brings reconciliation. When we allow God to unite us through mutual submission and selfless love, the actual love of God is experienced by those who are participating and witnessed by those who are watching.

The world is watching.

We have the opportunity, right now, to represent, to “be imitators of God” and to “live lives of love.”

The Church in America in 2016 is uniquely positioned to embody an alternative narrative to the messages with which we bombarded 24/7.

We are told, “You HAVE to choose sides.”

“You CAN’T give in.”

“THOSE people always do this, and THOSE people always think that.”

“We’re being attacked and we need a call to arms to defend our way of life!”

You can fill any “issue” in the blank here, with any particular subset of people.

But what if…?

What IF the Church was able to offer another way?

What IF the Church was able to imitate God’s reconciliation and love in such a way that those watching were inspired to do the same?

What IF we were able to unite despite our differences, allowing the love of Christ to bring us together in ways that—quite frankly—seem unimaginable in the current social climate?

Ideal? Yes.

Too ideal? Maybe so, but if the Church isn’t shooting for what could be and what should be, then who will?